Re-View Review

The NGV established their first separate curatorial department of photography in 1967, with the current permanent collection standing at over 15, 000 photographs of which 3, 000 are by international artists (NGV, 2010). The recent photography exhibition at the NGV, 'Re-View', showcases 170 years of photography as a fine art and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the NGV's acquisition of it's collection. The exhibition reveals the progression of styles and techniques for capturing, developing and producing a photographic image.

As an exhibition 'Re-View' was relatively small, showcasing largely international artists. The exhibition looks at each decade from 1840 onwards, revealing remarkable images that have been influential in photographic history and the establishment of the medium as a unique art form. The common muse within the exhibition, which transcended all decades, was human perception and the projection of perceived or factual reality. Portraits were particularly prevalent within the exhibition, often providing a psychological insight into the personality and temperament of the sitter, allowing the viewer to be engaged in the stranger's reality. Despite ourphotography course being entirely digital, the progression of image qualities and finish resolutions through the decades particularly interested me.


Reference:
NGV, 2010 'Re-View', viewed 30th March 2010
http://ngv.vic.gov.au/review/